Book Name:Surah Fatiha
etc?” If we act upon this pious deed, we will save ourselves from many sins. May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to act upon this pious deed.
اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صلَّی اللہ عَلَیْہِ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم
One Main Theme of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah
O devotees of the Prophet! In reality, it is not within our capability to understand and explain everything in Sūrah al-Fātiḥah. However, in light of Quran and Hadith, and other major books of religious knowledge, the noble scholars have mentioned one of the main themes of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah. What is this? It is: مُرَاقَبَۃُ الْعِبَادِ لِرَبِّہِمْ “for a slave to be mindful of his Lord.”[1] This is one of the main themes of the chapter, or one of the main points we are taught by this chapter.
What is Murāqabah (مُرَاقَبَہ)?
Murāqabah is the name of a connection. It refers to a slave’s strong link with Allah Almighty; such a firm connection that one’s heart, mind and thoughts are always occupied with Him. It is when a person is certain that Allah Almighty is always watching him and is aware of his outer and inner condition. This is مُرَاقَبَہ.
Imam Qushayrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه clarifies this through an example. He states:
There was a king who had several servants, but there was one he showed special kindness towards. There was nothing seemingly special about this servant, but the king loved him nonetheless. The other servants disliked the special treatment he received. So, on one occasion, they mustered up the courage